Louisiana State hires offensive coordinator Matt Canada away from Pitt
- by Grant Boone
- in Sports
- — Dec 16, 2016
Following a six year stay in Bloomington, Canada went back to Dekalb to be the Huskies' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and then went up to Wisconsin in 2012 for the same position.
LSU has hired Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who will be introduced at a press conference at approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, according to LSU. His unit at Pitt enjoyed a prolific season, averaging 42.3 points and 447.5 yards for Pitt, which went 8-4 this season and next meets Northwestern in the Pinstripe Bowl in December 28.
Canada's offenses - if you include his work at NC State previous year - have scored 11 TDs in the past two meetings against very talented Clemson defenses. "The chance to put together a high-powered offense with the athletic ability available at LSU and the leadership of Coach "O" is incredibly exciting. I'm thrilled to be a part of the vision for the program".
Canada comes to LSU with 25-years of coaching experience with stops at North Carolina State (2013-15), Wisconsin (2012), North Illinois (1998-2003; 2011) and IN (2004-10).
The Tigers ranked 60th nationally in total offense (425.7 yards per game) and 67th in scoring offense (28.3 points per game) this season.
"He does a nice job and is very creative", Pitt coach Narduzzi said of Canada last month. Orgeron's priority had been to find a coordinator who could modernize LSU's offense while still taking advantage of its huge offensive line and star tailback Derrius Guice. "And of course, we're going to do it the right way - the LSU way".
While at North Carolina State, Canada helped develop quarterback Jacoby Brissett into a third round NFL Draft pick and helped the Wolfpack to back-to-back bowl games in 2014 and 2015.
Canada/Pitt have a huge year, and the Panthers average more than 42 points per game. As the offensive boss at Wisconsin in 2012, the Badgers were a run-heavy attack led by Doak Walker Award victor Montee Ball, who rushed for 1,830 yards and 22 touchdowns. Tight end Jacob Pedersen was name the Big Ten tight end of the year while center Travis Frederick also earned first team All-Big Ten.
Canada was the only offensive coach among the Broyles Award finalists, an honor given to the top assistant in the country.
Canada, a native of New Palestine Indiana and a graduate of Indiana, has run a wide variety of offenses during his career. He has one daughter, Tori, and a son, Chris.
Perhaps Canada will not be able to overhaul LSU's offensive scheme overnight, but he has a record of successfully utilizing the spread principles that Orgeron desires.
